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TCU 360

Delaney Vega, a TCU journalism junior, is painting a school in Belize. (Courtesy of Teja Sieber)
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Voting out of this world

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AP
Astronaut Shane Kimbrough (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, Pool, File)

There’s a Horned Frog dad aboard the International Space Station and he voted in the 2016 election.

Astronaut Shane Kimbrough (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, Pool, File)
Astronaut Shane Kimbrough (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, Pool, File)

Shane Kimbrough, commander of Expedition 50, is the father of first-year movement science major Taylor Kimbrough.

Shane left Earth on Oct. 19 and is scheduled to return in early March of 2017, said Taylor. He is currently the only American in space, reported Fox News.

Texas legislatures passed a bill in 1997 establishing procedures that allow astronauts to vote from space, according to the NASA website.

A year before the launch, astronauts select which elections they want to participate in while they are away. Six months before the election, the astronauts are sent the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request.

Taylor said her dad was excited to vote in the election, even though he would be away.

I think it is awesome that my dad was able to be a part of the voting process, even though he isn’t on Earth,” Taylor said. “It is great that he made it a priority and is such a great role model.”  

Shane and Taylor Kimbrough pose in Amon G. Carter stadium (Photo courtesy Taylor Kimbrough).
Shane and Taylor Kimbrough pose in Amon G. Carter stadium (Photo courtesy Taylor Kimbrough).

Taylor also participated in the election as a first-time voter.  

I felt encouraged and valued for participating in such an important election,” Taylor said. “Everyone in the building clapped for me after I voted.”

Taylor said she admires her dad and all his accomplishments.

“I think it is so cool that my dad is an astronaut, and that he is able to serve the country while doing something he loves,” Taylor said.  “I am so proud of him because I would never be able to do what he does.”

The election polls on Earth close at 7 p.m. 

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